AGM-158 JASSM

Under the Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) program, the AGM 158 air-to-surface missile was designed for launch from outside area defenses to kill hard, medium-hardened, soft, and area type targets. Fixed and mobile targets beyond the range of enemy air defenses are also easy pickings for this missile, as it had the capability to fly autonomously after launch over a low-level, circuitous route to the target area. After flying to the target area, the AGM 158 is then guided by an autonomous terminal guidance system for a direct hit. This guidance system comprises a combination of GPS/INS positioning and Imaging Infrared for final targeting. With a body shape that has a low radar profile, the AGM 158 carries a dual-mode penetrator and blast fragmentation warhead at subsonic speed. Missile Mission Effectiveness, range, and carrier operability are the key performance parameters for the system.